Monday, September 14, 2009

Omega3 Fatty Acids And Depression � How Helpful Is It?

Before knowing about how omega3 fatty acids and depression are related and how the former works to improve the later, we must know in detail what Omega-3 fatty acids are. Omega3 fatty acids are a form of polyunsaturated fats that the body derives from food. All polyunsaturated fats, including the omega-3s are being more and more recognized as important to human health. Then what is it that makes Omega3 fatty acids essential? Omega-3s are essential fatty acids because as they are critical for good health but the body cannot make them on its own. Thus, omega-3s have to be necessarily obtained from food, making outside sources of these fats "essential." Though the body needs both omega-3s and omega-6s to thrive, people generally consume far more 6s than 3s and the essential feature is the frequency with which reports of more and more health benefits associated with omega-3sare being found. And one of these health benefits is omega3 fatty acids and depression about which we are about to learn.

Omega3 Fatty Acids And Depression � How Are They Related?

The brain is remarkably fatty, 60% fat to be specific. It needs omega-3s to function properly and researchers have discovered a link between mood disorders and presence of low concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids in the body. The question that comes to mind is how exactly will omega3 fatty acids help to improve depression? Apparently, omega-3 acids help to regulate mental health problems as they enhance the ability of brain-cell receptors for comprehending mood-related signals from other neurons in the brain. In other words, omega-3 acids are believed to help in keeping the brain's entire traffic pattern of thoughts, reactions, and reflexes running smoothly and efficiently. As a matter of fact, people who do not get enough omega-3 fatty acids or do not maintain a healthy balance of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids in their diet have an increased risk for depression. So now you know how omega3 fatty acids and depression are related.

What Is The Final Say?

If you still don�t agree that omega3 fatty acids and depression are related then justify this. Levels of omega-3s were found to be measurably low and the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids was particularly high in a study of patients hospitalized for depression. Also according to a study of people with depression, those eating a healthy diet consisting of fatty fish two to three times per week for 5 years experienced a reduction in feelings of depression and hostility. Thus you have no option but to accept that omega3 fatty acids and depression are related and that the former helps to improve the later.